Closure attachment for receptacles



w. M. BAUMHECKEL CLOSURE ATTACHMENT FOR RECEPTACLES Jan. 24, 1928.

Filep} June 26, 1924 Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'WILLIAM M. BAUMI-IECKEL, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LOUIS C. SCHARNHORST, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

CLOSURE ATTACHMENT FOR RECEPTACLES.

Application filed June 26,

This invention relates in general to devices, such as closures or mountings therefor, intended for use on receptacles and the like, which are adapted tor permanent or semi-permanent attachment in operative position; and the invention relates more particularly to such devices as are primarily intended for use with receptacles of automobiles, where the closure or the like is of such ornamental design or serves as a mounting for an instrun'ient of such value that it is desirable that the device be associated with the automobile radiator or other receptacle in such a manner as to frustrate unautl'iorized attempts at removal of the device.

It is desirable to provide certain receptacles, such as the radiator of an automobile, with a closure of a more or less pleasing or ornamental design, in some cases, this closure having additional utility as a mount ing for a device for "giving a desired indication, as of the level or ten'iperature or other cl'iaracteristic of the cooling fluid in the radiator or other part of the cooling system of the engine; And, especially for the reason that the closure may have considerable intrinsic value on account of its orna mental design, and the further value of the indicating device carried by the closure, it

highly desirable that the design and construction of the closure be such as to pre vent. at least any ordinary attempts at unauthori ed removal of the closure, while permitting any desired degree of accessibility to the radiator for ordinary purposes, as for replenishing the cooling fluid therein, or for such extraordinary purposes include repairs to the radiator or replacement of the closure.

Due to the fact that different types and sizes of receptacles, as for instance automobile radiators, are provided with orifices or openings, usually through tubular spouts oi? different sizes and shapes, it particularly desirable that a closure for such a .re-

ceptacle be universal to the extent that a single size or design of closure be adapted to fit and be u ul upon the several (littereut sizes and pcs of apertures or spouts ot the radiators or other receptacles.

'lhe present invention contemplates a device of utility as a closure for receptacles,

1924. Serial No. 722,507.

such as automobile radiators, which is of such design as to be universal to the extent of being adapted to lit a number of different sizes and styles of receptacle openings, and is capable of being readily secured in operative position on a receptacle in such a manner as to permit the desired degree of accessibility to the interior of the receptacle while preventing unauthorized removal of the closure from the receptacle.

It is an object of the present invention to i provide a device of the character descrlbed which is of improved design and construction and which is capable of maintaining itself in operative position on a receptacle or other article while .permittingany desired degree ofcommunication with the receptacle or article with which the device ,is associated.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a receptacleclosure of improved de sign and construction which is extremely simple and etficient and is universal as to the feature of being adapted to be operatively associated with receptacle openings or spouts of diiierentsizes and styles, and which may be readily attached in operative position on r ous novel features and advantages of which will be apparent from the description and drawing CllSGlOSiIigOne embodiment of the invention, and will be more particularly pointed out in theclaims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a trontelevation, partly in section, of a receptacle closure embodying features of the present invention, the section being along the lines II 0t Figs-3.21mi 4.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line IIII of Fig. 1 with the indicating device removed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of Fig. 1, showing the underneath side of the closure.

Fig. 1 is a plan view with the main portion or the closure cover broken ofii'.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged traginental plan view similar to Fig. 4, showing a modification of a detail of construction and design.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental view along the line VI-VI of Fig. 5. i

In the embodiment ot the invention illustratcd in the drawings, the receptacle 1 may be considered as the radiator 0t an automobile, the radiator being provided with a filling orifice in the form of a tubular spout 2, ordinarily, though not necessar ly, of circular outline. A closure embodying features of the present invention is indicated at Sand comprises an outer annular or cylindrical wall {t disposed outside of the upper end of the spout 2, with an inner flange or shelf-like diaphragm 5 having at its inner periphery a plurality of spaced, preferably integrah and downwardly extending arms 6 the recesses or spaces between the arms being indicated at 7. An annular disk or hub portion 8 is carried by, being preferably integrally united with, the spacedarins 6 and is provided with a central or axial threaded bore 9. As indicated, the hub 8 has radially extending portions 6 in alinement and integral with the arms 6, the arrangement being such that the recesses 7 or continuat-ions thereof in the hub portion are of substantial extent.

A plurality of pins 10, preferably of hardened steel or bronze are slidable in radial apertures 11. through the portions 6 of the hub 8 the pins extending beyond the inner and outer walls of the hub portion and having pointed outer ends and rounded or cam-shaped inner ends as indicated. A screw-plug 12 having a cone-shaped lower end 13 is threaded in the bore 9, the relation of the parts being such that as the coneshaped lower end 13 is forced into engage ment with the inner rounded ends of the pins 10, the latter are forced outwardly in the apertures 11. The apertures 11 preferablv have their axes so inclined to the axis of the bore 9 that when the closure 3 is in operative position upon a rece tacle. with the axis of the bore and screw p ug substantiall 1 vertical the ains are suiiicientl inclined from the horizontal that the action oi. gravity causes the pins to be retracted partially within the bore of the hub. ith the surfaces of the walls of apertures 11 and the pins 10 suitably finished, little inclination of the axes of the apertures 11 is needed to secure the desired retraction of the pins.

A flexible gasket 14 is disposed in position against the lower side of the shelf or diaphragm 5 within the annular space formed between the cylindrical wall 4 and the spaced arms 6. The normal operative position of the closure is as shown in the drawings, with the upper edge of the spout 2 in firm fluid-tight engagement with the under side of the gasket 14.

A cover 15 is provided for the receptacle, the same being generally don'le-shaped, with an outer edge or lip bearing upon a gasket 16 disposed on the upper side of the diaphragm or flange 5 within an upwardly ex tending portion of the cylindrical wall cl, as indicated. The upper wall of the cover is provided with an aperture 17 adapted to receive the threaded shank or stem 18 of an indicating device, a nut 19 threaded on the stem 17 and bearing against the lower side of the upper wall. of the cover serving to secure the indicating device in ope 'ative position thereon, as indicated.

The cover 15 is cut away at its periphery to form a projection 23 adapted to lie between spaced projections Ql at the upper side of the cylindrical wall 4, the projection 23 and projections 2+1 having alined apertures adapted to receive a hinge pin 25, the aperture on one of the projections 2 lpreterabl having a closed end and the pin preterablv being driven in flush with the outer wall of the other projection 24;, so as to frustrate any ordinary attempt at removal of: the hinge pin and consequent removal of the pivoted cover 15 and the indicating device carried thereby.

The cylindrical wall l of the closure is provided with an elongated projection 26 at a point diau'ietrically opposite the hinged projection 23, the projection 20 being apertured to pivotally receive a portion of a bully 27 which is adapted. to be swung upwardlv to the position indicated in Figs. 1 and ii. wherein it engages with the upper side of a nose or projection 28 on the cover 15. to thereby hold the cover and the indicating device carried thereby securely in operative position, with the cover in liuid-tight en gagement with the gasket 16.

In assembling the closure 3 in o 'ierative position on the spout 2. it being assumed that the indicating device mounted on the cover 15, although the indicating device mar be mounted on the cover at any time after the closure is in place on the spout. the closure is placed upon the spout so that the upper end of the spout lies in the recess between the cylindrical wall 4- and the spaced arms 6, the upper end of the spout bearing against the gasket 14. During this operation of placing the closure on the sjlout. the pins 10 are in retracted position so a to permit insertion of the hub portion 8 and the arms 6 within the spout. By means of a socket wrench or other tool which may be inserted in a polygonal socket 231 at the Nil) mamas upper side of the screw plug 12, when the cover is swung back to open position, the plug is threaded into the bore 9 of the hub so that the lower cone shaped end 13 of the plug bears against the inner rounded ends of the pins 10, forcing the same outwardly and upwardly to a slight extent, depending upon the upward inclination of the guiding apertures 12. With the pins 10 all of the same length in the case of a spout of circular cross-sectional shape, or any suitable length depending upon the shape or outline of the spout, the effect of the initial engagement of the pins with the wall of the spout is to center the closure upon the spout. Further operation of the screw plug 12 and the pins 10, preferably with the closure forcibly held on the spout, causes the pins to be forced into secure holding engagement with the Wall of the spout, the hardened steel pins actually entering and firmly gripping the wall of the spout and thereby forcing the upper edge of the spout upwardly into firm engagement with the gasket 14 and holding and securing the closure in operative posi tion on the spout with the gasket ll forming a fluid-tight seal for the upper end of the spout.

After the closure has been secured in operative position as described, the recess 31 may be filled with a fusible metal or other filling which hardens and thus prevents insertion of the operating tool to operative position for the purpose of removing the closure.

It is preferable to provide additional means for frustrating unauthorized attempts at removal of the plug 12. As a means to this end, the portion of the plug 1?. surrounding the polygonal recess 31, this portion constituting a wall 32, may be provided with one or more radial recesses 33 C0311- municating at their inner ends with the recess 31 and, when the plug is suitably positioned, communicating with one or more corresponding recezses 34; in the wall of the apertured hub 8. When the plug is finally adjusted to a position wherein the recesses 33 of the plug and recesses 34 of the hub communicate, as shown in Figs. 2 and l, the fusible filling enters these recesses, thex'ie projecting portions of the filling constituting, when the filling hardens, a means for positively locking the plug againstrotation. The provision of these locking projections of the filling material may be insured independently of the final position of adjustment of the plug 12, through the further provision of an annular rcce's 35 at the periphcry of the plug and a corresponding annular recess 36 about the wall of the bore 9 of the hub 8, the fusible metal or other filling being adapted to occupy such annular recesses and the con'nnunicating radial recesses 33 and 34, so as to lock the plug Figs. 5 and 6, both the hub S and the Wall 32 are shown as provided with six radial recesses which, in combination with the annular recesses 35 and 36 in the plug 12 and the hub 8, respectively, serve to lock :the plug against rotation independently of the final adjusted position of the same.

Under ordinary circumstances, the closure 3 and the mounting for the indicating do vice are removable from the radiator only by destruction of the spout or a portion of the closure, for the pins 10 are securel held within the metal oflihe spout throng the holding action of the screw plug 12,

the latter being locked in finally adjustedposition and there being no ordinary means for applying a tool to the screw plug so as to actuate the same. The simplest ordinary method of removal of the closure from the spout, and, for that matter, necessary only in rare instances, includes the removal of the radiator from the automobile frame and engine connections, the radiator being afterward inverted and suitable heat, ordinarily in the form of a blow torch, being applied to the fusible metal or other filling in the socket 31 and the recesses 33, 34, 35' and 36, the filling, when heated to the required de gree, falling out of the several recesses in the'plug and the hub 8. After removal of the fusible filling, it will be apparent that the plug 12 can readily be threaded out wardly to a position wherein the locking pins 10 readily drop out of holding engagementwith the spout-,thus permitting withdrawal of the hub portion 8 and the arms 6 from within the spout.

The indicating device mounted on the cover of the closure may be of any suitable type for indicating the temperature, fiuidlevel or pressure within the radiator or, in fact, any desired condition in the radiator or other part of the engine unit, the specific indicating device here shown beingofthe temperature-indicating type wherein the heat-responsive portion is located either wholly within the dome-shaped cap or partly within the central recesses formed between the spaced arms 6. It will be apparent, however, that the downwardly extending portion of the indicating device may readily be of such form as to pass through the space 7 between adjacent arms 6 and downwardly to any desired extent into the spout or thebody portion of the radiator.

In replenishing the cooling liquid in the radiator, the cover 15 is swung backward on its hinge, after removal of the bail 26, and cooling fluid may then be poured into the receptacle through the openings or spaces 7 between the arms 6 and the spout 2.

Because of the fact that no threaded or similar close fitting connection of the closure tothe receptacle is required, the closure may readily be universal as to the feature of its capability of fitting spouts or openings in radiators or receptacles of sizes which vary practically all the way between the outer diameter of the armsGand the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion or sleeve 4; of the closure. Thus, with a stock of only one or, possibly, two sizes of closures embodying the present invention, a suitable closure which lends itself readily to any desired ornamentation or special design, as for instance, the provision of the side bars shown, may be provided for any of the ordinary types or makes of automobile radiators at present on the market, and, in fact, many other receptacles of common and ordinary use.

While the invention has been more particularly described in connection with its utility or application to closures for auto mobile radiators or the like, it will be apparent that as to one or more or all of its features or elements, the invention is capable of and readily adapted for utility in other applications and relationships where its inherent features are desired, and as to such other applications and relationships, the embodiment shown in the drawings and more particularly described herein is intended to be only illustrative and not limitative.

And it should be understood generally that the invention claimed hereinbelow is not to be considered limited to the specific features of design and construction shown and described herein, for obvious modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An attachment for the tubular spout of a receptacle of the character of an automobile radiator, comprising in combination,

a seating portion adapted to make fluidtight engagement with the open edge of said spout, and an apertured portion united to said sea-ting portion and adapted to enter within the spout of the receptacle, and a plurality of adjustable, angularly spaced gripping members carried by said entering portion, and an actuating device carried by and substantially co-axial with said entering portion and adapted to force said gripping members into holding engagement with the side wall of said spout, said apertured portion when in operative position on said spout permitting the discharge of fluid therethrough to said receptacle.

2. An attachment of the class described for apertured articles, comprising in combination, an apertured body portion having an annular part adapted to make fluid-tight engagement with a cooperative portion of the wall of a receptacle, and means for securing said body portion in operative position on said receptacle, said securing means comprising a plurality oi angularly displaced and spaced gripping elements carried by and movable relative to said body portion, and an adjustable mcrnbercarried by said body portion and adapted to actu ate said gripping elements into gripping relation with the wall of the receptacle, said apertured portion when in operative position on said receptacle permitting the discharge of fluid therethrough to said receptacle, said member being provided with facilities for cooperation with a device for preventing unauthorized release of said gripping elements.

3. An attachment of the class described for apertured articles, comprising in combination, an apertured body portion having an annular part adapted to make fluid-tight engagement with a cooperative portion of the wall of a receptacle, and means for securing said body portion in operative position on said receptacle, said securing means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced elements adapted to be forced into holding relation with the wall of the article about the aperture therein, and an adjustable member cooperative with said holding elements for actuating said holding elements into holding position, said adjustable member presenting a recess adapted to receive an element capable of functioning to prevent unauthorized release of said holding elements.

a. An attachment of the class described for apertured receptacles of the character of an automobile radiator, comprising in combination. an element having a seating portion cooperative with an open end of a tubular extension oi. a receptacle, and a portion adapted to enter said tubular extension, and means adapted to secure said element in operative position on the said tubular extension. said means coni 'n'ising a gripping member adjustable into position wherein it is adapted to forcibly grip the side wall oi said tubular extension, said portion of said element within said tubular extension permitting the discharge of fluid therethrough to said receptacle, and a removable CO'Vt-i tor said element.

5. An attachment of the class described for apertnrcd receptacles of the character o'l? an automobile radiator, comprising in combination, an element having a seating portion cooperating with an open end of a tubular extension of a. receptacle, and a portion adapted to enter within said tubular extension, and means adapted to secure said element in operative position on said tubular extension of the receptacle, said means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced gripping members. and actuating means therefor carried by said entering portion and adapted to cause said gripping members to forcibly grip the inner wall of the tubular extension ot'the receptacle, said portion of said element within said tubular extension permitting the discharge of fluid therethrough to saidreceptacle, and a removable cover for said element.

6; An attachment for apertured receptacles of the character of an automobile radiator having a tubular spout or nipple about the aperture, comprising in combination, a seating portion adapted to cooperate with the open end of a radiator nipple, a portion extending at an angle from said seating portion, and means associated with said extending portion and operative to grip the side wall of said nipple and thereby secure said attachment to a plurality of sizes of nipples with said seating portion in fli-iid-tigl'it engagement with the end of thenipple, said attachment when in operative position on said radiator permitting filling said radiator I through said attachment.

7. An attachment for aperture'd receptacles ot' the character of an automobile radiator having a tubular spout or nipple about the aperture. comprising in combination, a seating portion adapted to cooperate with the open end of a radiator nipple, a portion extending at an angle from said seating portion, and means associated with said extending portion and operative to secure said attachment to a plurality of sizes of nipples with said seating portion in fluid-tight engagement with the end of the nipple, said means comprising a plurality of spaced grippingelements carried by said extending portion and adapted to be forced and held in gripping relation with the sidewall of the nipple, said attachment when noperatave position on said radiator permitting filling said radiator through said attachment. I

8. An attachment forapertured receptacles ot' the character of anautomobile radiator having a tubular spout or nipple about the aperture, comprising in combination, a seating portion adapted to cooperate with the open end of a radiator nipple, a portion extending at an angle from said seating portion, and means associated with said eX- tend-ing portion and operative to secure said attachment to a plurality of sizes of nipples with said seating portion in fluid-tight engagement with the end of the nipple, said means comprising a plurality of spaced, radially extending gripping elements carried by" said extending-portion, and an axially disposed actuating element operative to force'said gripping elements into holdin engagement with the wall of the nipple, sai

actuating element having a recessed portion adapted to receive means for preventing unauthorized release of said gripping elements.

9. An attachment for apertured receptacles of the character of an automobile radiator having a tubular spout or nipple about the aperture, con'iprising in combination, a seating portion adapted to cooperate with the open end of a radiator nipple, an apertured portion extending at an angle from said seating portion and adapted to enter the aperture. comprising in combination, a'

seating portion adapted to cooperate with the open end of a radiator nipple, a peripheral portion extending at an angle from said seating portion, and an aperatured inner portion extending in the same gene'a'l direction from said seating portion, the space between said two extending portions being adapted to receive a gasket-and a plurality of sizes of nipples, and a plurality of gripping elements carried by said inner eXtending portion and adapted to be forced in gripping engagement with the inner side wall of the nipplc to maintain the attachment in operative position on any of said sizes of nipples.

11. In combination with a receptacle of the character of an automobile radiator, having a tubular spout or nipple, a closure attachment con'iprising in combination. a seat ing portion cooperative with said spout, a portion depending from said seating portion, said depending portion and said tubular spout being telescopically disposed one within the other, a portion of said attachment within said spout being apertured to permitfilling said receptacle tl'ierethrough, means operatively associated with said depending portion for gripping the side wall of said spout. and means cooperative with said gripping means for holding the latter' in gripping position whereby said closure attachment is held in operative position on said spoutl 12. In combination with a receptacle of the characteroi an automobile radiatorhaving a tubular spout or nipple, a closure attachment comprising in combination, an apertnred portion provided with an annular seatcooperative with said spout, a portion depending from said seating portion, said depending portion and said tubular spout being telescopically disposed one within the other, a plurality of spaced gripping ele ments operatively associated with said depending portion. and means for forcing and holding said gripping elements in gripping relation with the side wall of said spout whereby said closure attachment is forced into and held in operative position on said spout.

13. In combination with a receptacle ot the character of an automobile radiator having a tubular spout or nipple. a closure at tachment comprising in combination, a seating portion cooperative with said spout, a. portion depending from said seating portion, said depending portion and said tubular spout being telescopically disposed one within the other, a port'on of said attachment within said spout being apertured to permit filling said receptacle therethrough, a plurality of spaced gripping elements opera tivelv associated with said depending portion, and instrumentalitics cooperative with said gripping elements and said dependint portion for forcing said gripping elements into gripping relation with the side wall of said spout and for holding said closure attachment in operative position againstun authorized removal.

14. In combination with a receptacle of the character of an automobile radiator having a tubular spout or nipple, a closure attachment comprising in combination. a seating portion cooperative with said spout. an apcrtured portion depending from said seating portion. said depending portion and said tubular spout being telescopically disposed one within the other, a portion of said attachment within said spout being apertnred to permit filling said receptacle therethrough. means operativelv associated with said depending portion for gripping the side wall of said spout and forcing the latter into engagement with said seating portion to secure said closure attachment in operative position on said spout. and means for bolding said gripping means in operative position against unauthorized release.

15. In combination with a receptacle ot the character ot an automobile radiator having a tubular spout or nipple. a closure attachment comprising in combination. a seating portion cooperative with said spout. an apertured portion associated with said seating portion and disposed within said spout permitting filling said receptacle therethrough when said attachment is in operative position on said spout, spaced ustablc gripping elements carried by said aportured portion and guided to move in substantially straight paths, and an adjustable actuating element carried by said aperturcd portion and operative to force and hold said gripping elements into gripping relation with theside wall of said spout for the purpose of securing said closure attachment in operative position on said spout.

16. In combination with a receptacle of the character of an automobile radiator ha ving a tubular spout or nipple, a closure attachment comprising in combination, a seating portion cooperative with said spout, a portion depending from said seating portion and disposed within said spout, said depending portion comprising a plurality of spaced arms and permitting fluid communication through said spout with the interior of said receptacle, spaced gripping elements carried by said depending portion and in substantial alinement with said depending arms, said gripping elements being adjust able in a direction having an upward component, and means carried by said depending portion for actuating said gripping elements into position wherein they forcibly grip the wall of said spout and cause said seating portion to be drawn toward said spout.

17. In combination with a receptacle of the character of an automobile radiator having a tubular spout or nipple, a closure attachment comprising in combination, a seat ing portion cooperative with said spout, a portion depending from said seating portion and disposed within said spout, spaced adjust-able gripping elements carried by said depending portion, and an adjustable actuating element carried by said depending portion and operative'to force and hold said gripping elements into gripping relation with the wall of said spout for the purpose of securing said closure attachment in operative position on said spout, said actuating element and said depending portion having cooperative recessed portions, and a fusible element disposed in said cooperative recesses and adapted to lock said actuating element and said gripping elements in operative position. I

18. In combination with a receptacle of the character of an automobile radiator hav-. ing a tubular spout or nipple, a closure attachment comprising in combination, a seating portion cooperative with said spout, an apertured portion depending from said scab ing portion and disposed within said spout. spaced adjustable gripping elements carried by said depending portion, and an adjust able actuating element carried by said depending portion and operative to force and hold said gripping elements into grippin relation with the wall of said spout for the purpose of securing said closure attachment in operative position on said spout, said actuating element having a recessed portion. and a gravity releasable means cooperative with said recessed portion of said actuatin element for holding said actuating element against unauthorized release. 7

19. An attachment for apertured recep tacles of the character of an automobile radiator having a tubular spout or nipple about the aperture, comprising in combination, a seating portion adapted to cooperate With the open end or a radiator nipple, a portion extending at an angle from said seating portion, and means associated with said extending portion and operative to secure said attachment to a plurality of sizes of nipples with said seating portion in fluid- 1 tight engagement With the end of the nipple, said securing means comprising a gripping device, and means for forcing said gripping device into the material of the side Wall of said nipple.

In Witness whereof I aflix my signature hereto. 7

WVILLIAM M. BAUMHECKEL. 

